Hold Tight To Hope

Hold Tight To Hope

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises. –Romans 15:4

Do you want to find some evidence that what you are hoping for is going to happen? Your best source for that information and for the encouragement you need as you wait is found in the Scriptures. They were written so that we might have hope.

In Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) we are admonished to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” What is the hope that the Hebrews professed and that we profess today? That professed hope is eternal salvation solely through Jesus. The writer to the Hebrews is saying, Don’t waver on the source and surety and sufficiency of your salvation.

A couple of years ago, we planted three evergreen trees in our backyard. But one of them just would not stay up—the slightest breeze would blow it down. My dad found an old broom handle in the garage, stuck it deep into the ground, and tied the always-falling-down tree to it. That way, no matter how much the wind blew, the tree didn’t fall down again.

When you choose to hold on to the hope of your salvation—Jesus himself—it is as if you drive a stake into the solid ground of God’s Word and hold on for dear life. Then, when the wind of adversity or doubt or persecution comes your way, you can hold steady without falling.

You are only foolish to keep holding out hope if the foundation of your hope is insecure. Our confidence in regard to the future is based on the security of God’s promises . . . even when we can’t see any sign that those promises are being fulfilled. Biblical hope is based on what God has said, not on what we can see. That is the essence of faith—believing when you can’t see. Will you drive the stake of your life deep into the Word of God, sinking your most precious hopes in his promises and provision?

Solid Ground of hope, I want to drive the stake of my life deep into your very words of life and eternal hope, knowing that this daily decision will keep my life from collapsing when the wind of adversity blows.

DIGGING DEEPER